Pin detecting and indicating apparatus



4 Sheets-Sheet l R. M. CONKLIN ETAL PIN DETECTING AND INDICATING APPARATUS Jan. 21, 1964 Filed July 26, 1961 2 0 a 1 w J l 0 v 0 J d a 5 NW In t fl forts. ioerl IZ Chili/Zn. K0581 6173 Pagan m ;m Mornqgs.

964 R. M CONKLIN ETAL 3,118,671

PIN DETECTING AND INDICATING APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jamzl, 1954 R. M. CONKLIN ETAL PIN DETECTING AND INDICATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 26, 1961 III! :lII/[III/I/I III/ll Jam 1964 R. M. CONKLIN ETAL 3,118,671

PIN DETECTING AND INDICATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 26, 1961 mum Y m m United States Patent 3,118,671 PIN AND ilNDlCATlNQ-l APARATU llohert M. Conlrlin and Robert Torresen, Musiregon, Mich, assignors, by mesne assignments, to lirunswiek Corporation, Chicago, ill, a corporation of Delaware Filed July 26, 1961, Ser. No. 126,974 11 Claims. (61!. 273 d2) This invention relates to apparatus for detecting standing pins on a bowling alley, and more particularly to such apparatus installed on automatic pinsetters to operate indicators.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a new and improved pin detecting apparatus for bowling alley installations.

When standing at the foul line of a bowling alley it is often difiicult to see which pins are still standing after rolling a hall. For example, it is often difiicult to see a pin standing directly behind another pin, or to determine the precise position of a pin longitudinally of the alley. Various indicating systems have been developed for indicating to a player standing at the foul line precisely which pins are still standing on the alley. Such indicating systems usually are of an electrical nature and they have detecting portions mounted on an automatic pinsetter overlying the bowling alley. The pin detecting apparatus is often of an involved mechanical nature such that it is both expensive and complicated to install and maintain on the pinsetter. The electrical components between the detecting portions and indicators, which are usually electrical lights, also having previously been of a rather involved and expensive type.

Another object of this invention is to provide new and improved pin detecting apparatus for indicating bowling pins standing on a bowling alley during play of a game.

An important object of ths invention is to provide a new and improved pin detecting apparatus installed on a bowling alley and having electrical switch assemblies operable by movement of part of the apparatus longitudinally of the bowling alley.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved pin detecting apparatus including a deck mounted for movement longitudinally of a bowling alley, means for detecting a pin standing on the alley, a switch on the deck operable between normal and set positions, means responsive to the first means detecting a standing pin for operating the switch from normal to set position, and means responsive to movement of the deck longitudinally of the alley for operating the switch from set to normal position.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a new and improved bowling pin detecting apparatus for operating an indicator and including, a pin setter deck assembly mounted for movement toward and away from a bowling alley and having an upper deck mounted on a lower deck for movement longitudinally of the alley with means on the upper deck for engaging the head of a pin standing on the alley when the deck assembly is lowered, an inertia unit including a mercury switch and a lever having an upper end attached to the switch and a lower end freely pivotally mounted on the upper deck for movement about a generally horizontal axis between normal and set switch positions, means responsive to the first means engaging a standing pin for operating the switch from normal to set position to render the indicator operative, and means positioning the inertia unit in set position when the switch is set for operating the switch from set to normal position in response to operation and more particularly acceleration of the base longitudinally of the alley in one direcion, to render the indicator inoperative.

Other objects and advantages will become readily ap- 'idldfill Fatentetl Jan. 21, 1964 "ice parent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a pinsetter deck structure including pin detecting apparatus embodying principles of the invention, with parts broken away and removed to more clearly illustrate the construction;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the pinsetter deck structure of FIGURE 1, with parts removed to more clearly illustrate the construction;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical section taken generally along the line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical section taken generally along the line 44 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical section of a switch assembly of the pin detecting apparatus taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary vertical section of the switch assembly taken generally along the line 66 of FlGURE 5; and,

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of an indicator electrical circuit including the switch assemblies.

While an illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings it will be described in detail herein, the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, and it should be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention is, in brief, directed to a pin detecting apparatus movable longitudinally of a bowling alley and having switch assemblies, one for each of ten bowling pins. Each switch assembly is operated for actuating an indicator in response to actuation of related means for detecting a standing pin on the bowling alley. In the illustrated embodiments the pin detecting apparatus is mounted on an upper deck of a deck assembly in an automatic pinsetter. The deck assembly is mounted for move ment toward and away from the bowling alley, and includes a lower deck which mounts the upper deck for movement longitudinally of the alley. In the illustrated embodiment, as the deck assembly moves toward the bowling alley, upon detection of a pin standing on the alley a related switch assembly is operated from a normal position to a set position for actuating an indicator corresponding to the detected pin. Means is provided for operating the switch assemblies from set to normal position in response to movement of the upper deck longitudinally of the bowling alley. As the upper deck moves across the lower deck longitudinally of the alley acceleration of the upper deck causes an inertia unit to operate the switch from set to normal position. In the illustrated embodiment the inertia unit is pivoted on the upper deck and includes the switch, here in the form of a mercury switch. Alternatively the switch and inertia unit may be associated with the upper deck to ope-rate from set to normal position as movement of the upper deck stops. Movement and construction of the pinsetter may be of a substantially conventional nature and the pin detecting apparatus is constructed to cooperate with normal operation of the pinsetter. However, the pin detecting apparatus is not limited to operation in conjunction with any particular pinsetter and may be incorporated in structures other than pinsetters, as will be obvious to one skilled in the art.

Referring to FiGURES 1-4 of the drawings, theinvention is illustrated in connection with an automatic pinsetter deck structure of the general type disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,949,306 to Huck et al., and reference may be had thereto for additional discussion of the pinsetter construction and operation. This deck structure is substantielly horizontally disposed over the end of a bowling alley (not shown) adjacent its pit for receiving pins from a suitable distributing mechanism (not shown), setting the pins on the bowling alley in preparation for bowling and, after a ball has been rolled, picking up the pins which remain standing to permit removal of deadwood and then resetting the last mentioned standing pins for con tinued bowling. After each frame the pinsetter resets pins on the bowling alley for play of the following frame.

Generally, the deck structure is vertically movable toward and away from the surface of the bowling alley over which it is installed in a suitable manner. The pinsetter deck structure includes an upper deck 21 having a suitable generally triangular frame 22 with a generally triangularly shaped upper deck plate 23 preferably cast integrally with the frame, and a lower deck 24 having a suitable generally triangularly shaped lower deck frame on plate 25 or skeleton form. As illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, upper deck 21 is supported on lower deck 24 for movement longitudinally of the bowling alley by tracks 27 on the upper deck riding in rollers 28 journaled on shafts 29 mounted on the lower deck. Upper deck plate 23 has suitable openings 30 for receiving bowling pins from the distributing mechanism above the pinsetter. dins delivered to openings 30 are received on suitable rollers 31 mounted on lower deck 24 when upper deck 21 is moved longitudinally of the alley and forwardly on lower deck 24 to a pin detecting position. By moving upper deck 21 longitudinally of the alley and rearwardly on lower deck 24 to a pin setting position (not shown), the upper deck plate openings 30 are generally aligned with and overlie pin passing openings (not visible) in the lower deck plate 25, and pins in upper deck openings 30 move off of lower deck rollers 31 and drop through the lower deck openings. Movement of the pins through the deck openings may be assisted by suitable guides 33 on upper deck 21 at openings 39.

Mechanism for moving upper deck 21 across lower deck 24 is fully described in the aforementioned Huck patent, and will be briefly described herein in the form of a cable mechanism 35. Movement of the upper deck 21 forwardly on lower deck 24, from the pin setting position (not shown) to the pin detecting position illustrated in FlGURES l and 2 is accomplished by drawing a cable 36 over a pulley 37 journaled on the upper end of a support 38 which is mounted on lower deck 24. Cable 36 also passes around a pulley 39 journaled on lower deck 24, and passes around and is attached to a pulley 4t secured to the end of a shaft 41 for rotating pulley 4t). Shaft 41 extends across the rear of lower deck 24 and is journaled at opposite ends on the lower deck. Secured to pulley wheel are a pair of generally diametrically opposed outwardy extending cam pins 42 and 43 which are movable in cam slots 44 and 45, respectively, in a cam plate 46 secured to and depending from one side of upper deck 21, for moving the upper deck forwardly and rearwardly on lower deck 24. During movement of the upper deck to the pin detecting position shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, pulley wheel 40 is rotated clockwise as seen in FIGURE 2, winding a spiral torsion spring 50 which is telescoped on shaft 41 and has one end 51 anchored on lower deck 24 and an opposite end 52 attached to a spring anchor 53 secured on shaft 41. When cable 36 is released spring 50 partially unwinds, rotating pulley wheel 40 counterclockwise and cam pin 42 upwardly in slot 44, rapidly moving the upper deck 21 rearwardly on lower deck 24, whereupon cam pin 43 is engaged in cam slot 4-5 continuing rapid rearward movement of the upper deck. During rearward movement upper deck 21 is accelerated at about one gravity. Actuation of cable 36 is controlled in a suitable manner responsive to a pinsetter operating mechanism as is fully discussed in the previously mentioned Huck patent.

Mechanism is provided for lifting and resetting standing pins on the alley for removal of deadwood after the first ball of each frame. In the illustrated embodiment 4 upper deck 21 is provided on its underside with circular resilient pads or disks 55 (FIGURE 5) suitably secured to the underside of upper deck plate 23 and positioned to engage pins standing on the alley when the deck assembly is lowered and in pin detecting position, whether the pins are standing exactly on spot or within a predetermined area surrounding the spot. Each pad 55 is preferably of a resilient material such as sponge rubber and has an upwardly extending ring portion 56 secured to a metal ring 57 which is mounted on upper deck plate 23 by upwardly extending bolts 58. Rings 56 and 57 define an upwardly opening recess 5? of resilient pad 55.

Engagement of pads 55 with the tops of standing pins holds the pins securely in position on the alley to be gripped at the neck thereof by scissor pick-up mechanisms 61 mounted on a plate secured in spaced relation beneath lower deck frame 25 and provided with openings 6% aligned with corresponding openings in lower deck member 25 and with pads 55 when the upper and lower decks are relatively positioned as illustrated. One scissors mechanisn is associated with each opening 66a and each includes a pair of scissor arms '62 pivotally mounted on lower deck plate 60 for securely gripping a pin standing within opening 60:: in lower deck plate 69. Suitable scissor pick-up mechanism is more fully discussed in both the aforementioned Huck patent and in Sanford Patent No. 2,817,528.

Means for detecting and indicating pins standing on the alley is provided by apparatus including switch assemblies mounted on upper deck plate 23, and one associated with each opening 36 therein. Each switch assembly 65 is operated in response to a switch actuator detecting the presence of a standing pin on the bowling alley surface to operate a suitable indicator visible to the players, such as one of ten light bulbs (671-6710, in FIGURE 7), illuminated in response to operation of the respective switch assembly 65.

Referring to FIGURES 5 and 6, in the illustrated embodiment the switch actuators are in the form of the resilient pad assemblies 55 each receiving a rigid plate 70 in recess 5'9. When the resilient pad assembly engages the head of a standing pin it moves plate 7% upwardly to operate the related switch assembly 65 from a normal position in which the indicator light is out to a set position in which the indicator light is illuminated.

Each switch assembly 65 includes a base or frame 73 secured to the top of upper deck plate 23 in any suitable manner as by bolts. A switch '75 of the switch assembly is operable between normal and set positions, and in the illustrated embodiment this switch is a mercury switch which is open in normal position to render the respective indicator inoperative and is closed in set position to illuminate the indicator.

Operating means responsive to the resilient pad 55 engaging a pin standing on the alley is provided for operating switch '75 from normal to set position. In the present embodiment these means include a lever 80 mounted by a pin 81 on base '73 for free pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis. Lever 80 has a switch arm 22 extending upwardly from pivot pin 81. This arm is secured at its top end to mercury switch by means of a return portion having a downwardly extending finger 83. An actuating arm 84 of the lever extends generally horizontally from pivot pin 81 and freely engages an arcuate top of an actuator in the form of a plunger 87 telescoped through an opening in base 73. Plunger 87 has a lower end adapted to freely engage the resilient pad assembly plate 7 0, and an intermediate lateral shoulder 88 seated on a portion of base 73, in normal position of the switch. In normal position counterclockwise pivotal movement of lever is limited by a stop pin 9% which retains the lever and switch operatively positioned in normal position.

When resilient pad assembly 55 engages the head of a pin standing on the bowling alley, the plate 70 is urged upwardly moving plunger 87 upwardly for pivoting lever 80 and mercury switch 75 clockwise, as viewed in FIG- URE 5, and providing means for operating switch 75 from normal to set position.

An inertia unit includes mercury switch 75 and lever 80, and has a center of mass which moves overcenter about pivot pin 8 1 as the mercury switch moves between set and normal positions. The pivotal axis of the inertia unit about pin 81 is transverse to, and preferably normal to the direction of movement of upper deck Z1 across lower deck 24 longitudinally of the bowling alley. Thus, the inertia unit is moved from the normal position to a set position in response to resilient pad assembly 55 engaging the head of a pin standing on the bowling alley.

Means are provided for positioning the inertia unit when in set position for operating the mercury switch 75 from its set to normal position in response to movement of the upper deck across the lower deck longitudinally of the bowling alley in one direction from pin detecting position to pin setting position, to render the respective indicator inoperative. More particularly, lever 80 is retained in set position so that the center of mass of the lever and switch is just slightly over-center in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 5, by means of cooperating abutments, here in the form of lever finger 83 and stop pin 90 secured to base 73. Thus, as upper deck 21 is accelerated while moving from pin detecting to pin setting position, in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 5, an inertia reaction of the inertia unit causes the lever and switch to pivot counterclockwise to normal position.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, switches 75 are designated 751-7510, and are actuated, respectively by one of ten bowling pins if standing on the alley, the pins being conventionally designated 140'. Switches 71751tl are connected, respectively, in series with light bulbs 67-1-67-10. The switch and light bulb combinations are connected in parallel across power lines 92 and 93 from a transformer 94 connected with a power line 95 through a suitable connector '96.

To briefly summarize the operation of the pin detecting apparatus, when the deck assemblies move downwardly toward the bowling alley in pin detecting position, as a resilient pad assembly 55 engages the head of a pin standing on the alley, rigid plate 70 is moved upwardly. Upward movement of a plate 70 moves plunger 87 upwardly to pivot the inertia unit, and more particularly lever 80 and switch 75 clockwise from normal position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 5, to set position shown by dotted lines. In set position switches 75 are closed illuminating the respective indicator light bulb 67. When the deck assembly moves upwardly and resilient pad assembly 5 moves away from the standing bowling pin head, the inertia unit and particularly switch 75 are retained in set position because the inertia unit has moved overcenter and is retained in set position by lever finger 83 and stop 95). As the deck prepares to lower a new unit of ten pins to the bowling alley, the upper deck 21 is moved in rearwardly across lower deck 24 in a direction longitudinal of the bowling alley by spiral torsion spring 50. An inertia reaction of the inertia unit causes this unit to pivot over-center in a counterclockwise direction, as illustrated in FIGURE to operate the switch to normal position in which the respective indicator light bulb 67 is out.

Thus, a pin detecting apparatus which is easily maintained and effective and reliable in operation while being relatively inexpensive and simple in construction, is provided. The switches remain in set position until the upper deck moves to pin setting position, and holding circuits are not required in the electrical circuit between switches 75 and indicator light bulbs 67, thereby further simplifying the system. Also, each switch assembly is operative independently of the other switch assemblies 6 to further simplify installation and maintenance of the pin detecting apparatus.

We claim:

1. In a bowling pin detecting and indicating apparatus for operating an indicator upon detection of a pin standing on a bowling, alley, and installed on a deck mounted for movement toward and away from a bowling alley and longitudinally of the alley, the combination comprising: a resilient pad on the deck for engaging the head of a pin standing on the alley when the deck is lowered; a switch assembly on said deck, said switch assembly having a base, and an inertia unit including a mercury switch operable between normal and set positions for controlling the indicator and a lever having an upper end attached to said mercury switch and a lower end freely pivotally mounted on said base for movement about a generally horizontal axis, said unit having a center of mass which moves ovencenter as said switch moves between said switch positions; means responsive to said resilient pad engaging a standing pin for operating said switch from normal to set position to render said indicator operative; and means positioning said unit in set position of said switch for operating said switch from set to normal position in response to acceleration of said base at the beginning of movement thereof longitudinally of said alley in one direction to render said indicator inoperative.

2. In a bowling pin detecting and indicating apparatus for operating an indicator upon detection of a pin standing on a bowling alley, and installed on a deck mounted for movement longitudinally of the bowling alley, the combination comprising: means on the deck for detecting a pin standing on the alley; a switch assembly on said deck, said switch assembly having a base, and an inertia unit including a switch operable between normal and set positions for controlling the indicator and a lever attached to said switch and said base, said unit having a center of mass which moves overcenter as said switch moves between said switch positions; means responsive to the first said means detecting a standing pin for operating said switch from normal to set position to render said indicator operative; and means positioning said unit in set position of said switch for operating said switch from set to normal position in response to acceleration of said deck at the beginning of movement thereof longitudinally of said alley in one direction to render said indicator inoperative.

3. In a bowling pin detecting apparatus installed on a part mounted for movement longitudinally of a bowling alley, the combination comprising: means on said part for detecting a pin standing on the alley; a switch on said part and operable between normal and set positions, and an inertia member freely mounted on said part and having a center of mass which moves overcenter as said switch moves between said switch positions; means responsive to the first said means detecting a standing pin for operating said switch from normal to set position; and means positioning said inertia member in set position of said switch for operating said switch from set to normal position in response to acceleration of said part at the beginning of movement thereof longitudinally of said alley.

4. In a bowling pin detecting apparatus installed on a part mounted for movement longitudinally of a bowling alley, the combination comprising: means for detecting a pin standing on the alley, a switch on said part and operable between normal and set positions, means responsive to the first said means detecting a standing pin for operating said switch from normal to set position, and means responsive to movement of the part longitudinally of the alley for operating said switch from set to normal position.

5. In a bowling pin detecting apparatus installed on a deck movable toward and away from a bowling alley and having a deck member mounted for movement parallel to the alley, the combination comprising: means on said deck member for engaging the head of a pin standing on the alley, a switch on said deck member operable between normal and set positions, means responsive to the first said means engaging a standing pin for operating said switch from normal to set position, and means responsive to movement of the deck member parallel to the alley for operating said switch from set to normal position.

6. In a bowling pin detecting and indicating apparatus for operating an indicator upon detecting a pin standing on a bowling alley, and installed on a deck mounted for movement toward and away from the bowling alley and having a deck member movable longitudinally of the alley, the combination comprising: a resilient pad on said deck member for engaging the head of a pin standing on the alley when the deck is lowered, a switch on said deck member and operable between normal and set positions for controlling the indicator, means responsive to said resilient pad engaging a standing pin for operating said switch fnom normal to set position to render said indicator operative, and means responsive to movement of the deck member longitudinally of the alley in one direction for operating said switch from set to normal position to render said indicator inoperative.

7. In a pinsetter apparatus including a deck member movable toward and away from a bowling alley and movable also in a second mode, pin detecting means on the deck member respectively at positions corresponding to pin positions on the alley and engageable with the heads of standing pins on the alley for operation thereby when the deck member is moved toward the alley, switch means responsive respectively to operation of the detecting means for operation from first positions to second positions corresponding to standing pins, and means responsive to movement of the deck member in the second mode for resetting operated switch means to the first positions.

8. In a pinsetter apparatus including a pinsetting deck structure movable toward and away from a bowling alley and including a deck member movable longitudinally of the alley, pin detecting means on the deck member respectively at positions corresponding to pin positions on the alley and engageable with the heads of standing pins on the alley for operation thereby when the deck member is moved toward the alley, mercury switches mounted on the deck member for movement respectively by operation of the detecting means from normal positions to second positions corresponding to standing pins, and means mounting the mercury switches for movement from the second positions to the normal positions on acceleration of the deck member at the beginning of movement thereof longitudinally of the alley.

9. In a bowling pin detecting and indicating apparatus for operating an indicator upon detection of a pin standing on a bowling alley, and installed on a movably mounted deck operable toward and away from a bowling alley and longitudinally thereof, the combination comprising: a resilient pad on the deck for engaging the head of a pin standing on the alley when the deck is lowered; a switch assembly on said deck, said switch assembly hav- 8 ing a base, and an inertia unit including a mercury switch operable between normal and set positions for controlling the indicator and a lever having one end attached to said mercury switch and another end freely pivotally mounted on said base for movement about an axis, said unit having a center of mass which moves overcenter as said switch moves between said switch positions; means responsive to said resilient pad engaging a standing pin for operating said switch from normal to set position to render said indicator operative; and means positioning said unit in set position of said switch for operating said switch from set to normal position in response to acceleration of said base at the beginning of movement thereof longitudinally of the alley to render said indicator inoperative.

10. In a pinsetter apparatus including a deck member movable toward and away from a bowling alley and also movable at varying velocity longitudinally of the alley, pin detecting means on the deck member respectively at positions corresponding to pin positions on the alley and engageable with the heads of standing pins on the alley for operation thereby when the deck member is moved toward the alley, switch means responsive respectively to operation of the detecting means for operation from first positions to second positions corresponding to standing pins, and inertia means responsive to variation in velocity of movement of the deck member longitudinally of the alley irespectively for resettin operated switch means to the first positions.

11. In a pinse-tter apparatus including a pinsetting deck structure movable toward and away from a bowling alley and including a deck member movable longitudinally of the alley, pin detecting means on the deck member respectively at positions corresponding to pin positions on the alley and engageable with the heads of standing pins on the alley for operation thereby when the deck member is moved toward the alley, switch means on the deck member corresponding respectively to the pin detecting means, each switch means including an inertia unit comprising a lever having a lower end pivotally mounted on the deck member and a mercury switch supported on the upper end of the lever, said unit having a center of gravity movable overcenter between a normal position and a set position, means on the lever operable by the associated pin detecting means for moving the inertia unit from normal to set position on detection of a pin, and said inertia unit being movable over-center from set position to normal position on movement of said deck member longitudinally of the alley.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,214,197 Jackson Sept. 10, 1940 2,641,471 Timberlake June 9, 1953 2,705,529 Bull et al. Apr. 5, 1955 2,817,528 Sanford Dec. 24, 1957 2,859,293 Marcus Nov. 4, 1958 2,890,886 Dumas June 16, 1959 

4. IN A BOWLING PIN DETECTING APPARATUS INSTALLED ON A PART MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY OF A BOWLING ALLEY, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: MEANS FOR DETECTING A PIN STANDING ON THE ALLEY, A SWITCH ON SAID PART AND OPERABLE BETWEEN NORMAL AND SET POSITIONS, MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE FIRST SAID MEANS DETECTING A STANDING PIN FOR OPERATING SAID SWITCH FROM NORMAL TO SET POSITION, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO MOVEMENT OF THE PART LONGITUDINALLY OF THE ALLEY FOR OPERATING SAID SWITCH FROM SET TO NORMAL POSITION. 